The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 12, 2010
Filed:
Nov. 04, 2008
Stephen Gee, Danville, CA (US);
Hau Nguyen, San Jose, CA (US);
Stephen Gee, Danville, CA (US);
Hau Nguyen, San Jose, CA (US);
National Semiconductor Corporation, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Abstract
The claimed invention relates to structures suitable for improving the performance and reliability of electrical connectors. One embodiment of the claimed invention includes an integrated circuit die having an electrical contact coupled with electrically conductive paths that share a common electrical source. The conductive paths are configured to transmit the same electrical signal to the electrical contact, which supports an electrical connector, such as a solder bump. The electrical connector couples the die with an outside component, such as a circuit board. Each of the conductive paths connect to the electrical contact at different interface locations. When the electrical signal passes through the interface locations, the paths are configured to have non-zero current densities at those locations. The electrical resistance of the conductive paths may be substantially similar. Thus, instead of being concentrated at a single point, current is more evenly distributed along the junction between the die and solder bump, which may reduce voiding and localized heating.